Transportation Compliance Insider

OUT OF SERVICE REASONS

Out of Service img

Here is our list of the top 4 most common causes of a DOT out of service order:

  1. Improper Vehicle Maintenance: Something as simple as an oil leak could cause your vehicle to get movement-restricted with a DOT out of service order until corrections are made. Lights, brakes, and tires are the three most common violations in this area. In fact, one-fourth of all maintenance violations were for brakes and it is the most frequent violation leading to an out of service order.
  2. Driver Issues: You can be placed on DOT disqualification for specific driver issues and repeated offenses. The driver and fleet management will receive CSA points if the driver shows no understanding of English or basic regulations. Even though the DMV & the FMCSA will allow test questions in a different language, the driver must have enough understanding or knowledge of the English language to get through a roadside inspection. It must not be frustrating for the inspectors, the driver, and the carrier. Also, not possessing the correct documents, permits, or endorsements will get you a violation.
  3. Cargo Violations: This kind of violation is easy to get through no fault of your own. If a label on one box is misprinted or printed with errors, it could result in a misdemeanor criminal charge and a $4000 fine for each violation. Cargo violations are especially noticeable on a flat-bed truck. A whipping tiedown is a red flag for CHP and other law enforcement. HazMat haulers, don’t even think about leaving without a CHP-approved map of authorized stops. That cup of joe could be very expensive.
  4. Weight Issues: Every state sets weight limits for freight trucks, which should get monitored by fleet management and necessary permits provided, but what about independent truckers/owner-operators? And they wonder why there is a shortage of drivers.

Did you know that the DOT/CVSA and CHP has the authority to inspect any commercial motor vehicle, at any time? If you’re a truck or charter bus driver, you more than likely do! And, if you aren’t in compliance with every single regulation in the books of this over-regulated industry they can and will shut you down. If you’re really unlucky, you might get a DOT out of service order, making it illegal for you to operate the vehicle again until the problems are corrected.

And, as an added bonus, they will give you and your carrier Compliance, Safety and Accountability (CSA) points as well. In addition to your penalties for the “violations,” you will receive two severity points, which can be multiplied by three time-weights if you have had a violation as recently as six months.

Then, when fleet management gets notified, your driving record will come under the microscope or you will be terminated. Sure, there’s a nationwide shortage of drivers, but high-paying firms still have a turnover rate near 90 percent.

How Do I Prevent a DOT Out-of-Service order? 

Call 1 855-278-2525 and speak to Audit Assistance and request a complete overview of how you are running your trucking business. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *